Method of making polyurethane utilizing nickel acetylacetonate

Abstract

A process for preparing polyurethanes comprising reacting a polyol with an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of a catalytic amount of nickel acetylacetonate, wherein the polyol and nickel acetylacetonates are held at elevated temperatures prior to being mixed with the polyisocyanate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a process for preparing molded polyurethanes consisting of reacting a catalyst-polyol mixture with an organic polyisocyanate wherein the catalyst-polyol mixture is held at an elevated temperature of 120° C. for prolonged periods, molding said polyurethane and demolding a cured article, the improvement of employing as the catalyst-polyol mixture 0.01 to 0.08 gram of nickel acetyl acetonate per 100 grams of polyol, wherein in said process the gelation time is in excess of one minute, the time required to obtain a tack-free surface is at least seven minutes, and the demolding time is eight minutes. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the polyol is polyalkyldiene diol. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the polyol is a hydroxylated copolymer of butadiene-styrene of a number average molecular weight of about 1000 to 3000.